LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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iHemories of a pUasaut ntontl) spent in tl)e 
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W. S. 15- 






Printed for Private Circ\jila.tion. 



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PRESS OF 
WILLIAM R. JENKINS, 

puilisher, bookbeller and stationer, 
850 Sixth Avenue, 

NEW Y0R14. 



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3T Is a harmless Indulgence, that hurts 
nobody, and gives me much pleasure; 
so I stick to it. Heretofore, when I 
have returned from the Adirondacks, 
much as I loved my pipe in the woods, 
1 have found on my return to the city, 
that my dislike of the pipe, and prefer- 
ence for a cigar, returned as well. Not 
so this year. I smoke my cigar in the 
daytime, but when evening comes, I 
now look forward to my pipe, with the 
keenest pleasure. 

It is quite an ordinary affair. A briar 
wood pipe, pretty well colored, the am- 



4 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

ber mouth piece almost worn through ; 
but about It circle many pleasant me- 
mories, of the past summer. 

And when I sit in my easy chair, with 
my feet perched up high, the taste of 
my Adirondack pipe on my lips and its 
fragrance filling my nostrils, I feel my 
blood run faster, my eyes brighten, my 
senses dilate, my whole being pulsate, 
as when I stand under the broad blue 
sky, of the beloved Adirondack woods. 

The smoke from its bowl rises faster 
and thicker, and as its clouds encircle 
my head, the pictures gradually fade 
from the walls of my room, the light 
changes, and I see once more before 
me, the scenes of my first day in the 
mountains. 

Oh ! the glorious ride on the stage top, 
that perfect September day ! Through 
the cool crisp air of the early morning, 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 5 

and then, after breakfast, on through 
the pure bracing" atmosphere, gradually 
mellowlnor and warmuio;, as the sun rises 
higher in an almost cloudless sky. 

On ! On ! all day with three or four 
merry companions on the top, discuss- 
ing every subject under the sun, from 
Wagner's music to opera bouffe, from 
bird shooting to hunting hippopotami, 
from Henry George's theory to the 
latest cut in tennis. 

Then we meet the outcroino- staoe, 
crowded with young men and women 
all looking hale and hearty, and well 
browned by the sun. 

A '' Where have you been " as we 
recognize a friend, and the coach is 
past. 

Then comes the attendant baesfasfe 
wagon, loaded up high with enormous 
trunks, containing the costumes and 



6 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

war paint, In which the young people 
have been masquerading, for so many 
weeks, and also, many trophies of the 
campaign, no doubt. 

Later, the tedium of the trip, is re- 
lieved by a broken strap or two, or a lost 
horse-shoe and — here we are at Blue 
Mountain Lake. 

Then on again, after dinner, through 
the woods for ten or twelve miles. The 
road Is bad, and conversation flags; 
sometimes we get down and walk a 
piece. 

Now the road is better and our speed 
increased; we pass a hunter out with his 
dog, evidently after birds, and— there 
is Lonor Lake in the evenincr sun. 

o o 

The road follows a ridge along the 
eastern shore, and three miles down the 
lake, in sight of a church, which marks 
Long Lake village, turns abruptly to 



MY ADIRONDACK PITE. 7 

the left, and plunges Into a pine grove. 
All these scenes pass rapidly before 
my eyes, under the helpful veil of the 
smoke ; but now I hear a rattle and a 
roar, and with a dash we go down a 
heavy loose plank road, and the house 
appears in sight at the right. 

To the left down a sharp decline, is 
the tennis court. There is no one 
playing — but under the surrounding 
trees, several girls are lolling in a ham- 
mock, and young men are grouped 
around on the ground, some with rackets, 
evidently resting from the game. 

There is a shout and and a yell, and 
then I see my brother jump to his feet, 
and run to meet me, as the stage draws 
up at the door. 

Handshaking^ and crreetlnos. He re- 
lieves m.e of my traps and we enter the 
house. 



8 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

Numerous faces peer curiously at the 
new comer, their costumes lookincr odd 
to the eye of one accustomed to the 
conventional dress of the city, and I 
remember one in particular, in a black 
and white striped flannel dress and 
swagger cap to match, that reminded 
me for all the world, of a Prussian guard 
house, with a pretty face peering out 
of it. 

A large barn of a hall, with an office, 
decorated with a large moose head on 
one side ; a rack filled with hats, wraps, 
books and rackets, on another side, and 
doors on all sides, are the first sights 
that greet a new arrival. 

There is no one in attendance, but a 
soiled specimen of a man, collarless, in 
cardigan jacket and slippers, with dis- 
sipated eyes, a shaggy head of hair, 
and a long moustache, dyed black, and 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 9 

showing brown at the roots. This 
is Walter. Jack of all trades he runs 
the office, fetches water, carries wood 
and is deputy sheriff. 

When appealed to by my brother in 
regard to my room, he is not sure 
whether I can have No. 15, although he 
promised it, only half an hour before. 
My brother insisting, he leads us up 
one flight, and opens the first room, at 
the head of the stairs. 

I am surprised to find it well furnish- 
ed and clean. And as it also has a 
beautiful view to the north, I cut short 
all argument, by installing myself. 



II 



/\^ES, I think I'll fill her up again. 
f3 My pipe is not a large one, and 
the tobacco is not strong. It's a light 
mixture that I have smoked for many 
years, in fact as long as I have been 
going to the Adirondacks. I find it 
does not burn the tongue, the odor is 
delicious, and its chief charm to me is 
the smoke. 

Watch its wonderful greys and blues, 
and see how gracefully it curls and 
wreaths. 

Just so was I smoking, idly puffing 
at my pipe, lying full length, fiat on my 
back, in the afternoon sun, gazing up at 
the stationary clouds overhead, when a 



MY ADIRONDACK riTE. I I 

recruiting party came my way, and a 
voice startled me with : 

'' It is almost four o'clock, and if we 
want to mount the Pinnacle to see the 
sunset, it is time we were off." 

There is much talking back and forth, 
followed by a shoving out of boats, 
shipping of oars, and arranging of seats; 
but all is ready at last, and all are paired 
off satisfactorily, or, at any rate, if any 
one is not satisfied, he or she dare not 
show it. 

Lazily, we row down the lake, for we 
are in no hurry, — sometimes side by 
side, to pass a jest or point out some 
beauty in the landscape, sometimes 
stringing out in a procession ; now row- 
ing hard to pass one another and then 
paddling hand over hand to rest, or 
await some straggler. 

Down the lake, as down the early 



12 MY ADIR0Nr3ACK PIPE. 

years of life, rowing Is a pastime, as 
existence Is a pleasure. 

All are evldentl)' full of health and 
spirit, enjoying- the air they breathe, 
the company they are In, and their sur- 
roundlnsfs, but all unconsciously — the 
essence of true pleasure. 

Thus we drift down to the woodpile, 
a landmark on the lake, from which 
starts the road we wish to take. It is 
a wide wacfon road at first — but divided 
Into groups, and, engrossed In conver- 
sation, we do not notice our surround- 
ings much. 

And such groups ! Pretty girls in 
mountain dresses, of all colors^ and 
combinations, that show off effectively 
aofainst the ofreen backcrround of the 
woods. — the men, some in shootlnof 
coats, knee breeches and stalking caps, 
others in tennis suits and striped caps, 



1 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 1 3 

look as picturesque as men ever can 
look. 

We have a half hour's stiff climb be- 
fore us, and so walk slowly, pulling 
grasses or picking a flower as we go, 
which often serves as a pretty excuse 
for a couple to lag behind. And eyes 
can say so much, while a field flower is 
being given and taken. 

We pass several small houses belong- 
ing to natives and stop at one to take 
a drink of spring water. The old man, 
who kindly brings us a glass, cannot 
help beaming, as he sees all the bright 
youthful faces about him, and delivers 
himself of some sentiments, as to the 
advantages of being young, and adds 
some compliments to the ladies. 

The party now divide, the restless 
ones, seeking for some novelty, think 
they can make a short cut, and take 



14 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

across fences. The more sober remnant 
pursue the path, more lenghty but more 
sure, that winds up to the top of the 
Pinnacle. 

Unnecessary to add that the would- 
be time savers, arrive there some ten 
minutes after the rest of the party. 

And now we are on the rocky top of 
the Pinnacle, with the country gloriously 
spread at our feet 

It is a calm beautiful evening, with 
not a cloud in the western sky, where 
the sun, growing more crimson each 
minute, is slowly nearing the horizon. 

Immediately under it, reflecting the 
shadowy sides of Owl's Head, lies Clear 
Pond, beautifully peaceful, embedded 
in the green woods, and evidently at 
some elevation above Long Lake, which 
stretches like a broad winding river, as 
far as the eye can see from south to 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. I 5 

north. Its mirrorlike surface is only- 
broken by the many islands that rise 
from its bosom, and here and there by 
a boat, that looks insignificant in its 
size and motion. 

In the east, myriads of small grey 
clouds, already tinted by the broken rays 
of the setting sun, float in the sky, and 
below them broadens a vast panorama 
of valleys and enchaining mountains. 

To the north and nearest to us, is 
Mount Kempshel ; next in order and in 
majesty are Mt. Everett and Santanoni; 
in the distance towers Mt. Seward, and 
on the horizon, forming a chain of pale 
azure peaks are Ampersand, Marcy and 
Mclntyre. 

The densely wooded mountains to 
the east, are growing purple in the 
evening haze, as though the trees had 
assumed that hue, while at our feet and 



1 6 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

west of US, the hills are ablaze with 
sensuous reds and yellows, running- over 
all, from shore to peak, from ridge to 
rldi^e. It is the most rforious mini^line 
of myriads of shades of blood red, car- 
mine and crimson, of ochre, yellow and 
green, that nature ever presented to a 
favored eye. 

All this we drink in, as this beauty or 
that, is pointed out by one or another, 
as this color or that — this liofht or that 
shadow — this cloud or that island claims 
the attention. 

Our voices hushed, no sound is heard, 
but the recurring note of the cowbell, 
or the last whistle of a bird, mellowed 
by distance. 

It is growing late — the sun's fiery disc 
just touches the line of the mountain 
ridge, poises there for an Instant, then 
rapidly sinks behind It. 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. , I 7 

We all watch it Intently and silently, 
as it grows less and less, until, now, 
there is only a faint edge of vivid light 
to be seen. 

Again it hangs for an instant motion- 
less, then suddenly disappears. 

Somehow we all feel saddened, and it 
takes us some time to recover our 
voices. 

The air orrows chill at once, as though 
the earth suddenly realized how long it 
will be, ere she will again see the sun's 
cheerful face, and feel his warminor in- 
fluence. 

In strange contrast with the purple 
mountain sides, and the black shadows 
that are already beginning to fall, the 
mountain tops and the floating clouds, 
burst into a glow of soft rosy light. 
They vie with each other in their efforts 
to recall to the earth, in beautiful and 



1 8 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

orlowine colors, the memory of the sun 
that is set. 

So mieht some dear friends of one that 
is departed, uphold his best thoughts, 
reflect them to the world, and cherish 
his memory. 

Inclination bids us stay — 'tis the most 
beautiful time of day — this half hour 
after sunset, but the wiser ones of 
the party urge a prompt start for 
home. 

Coats are all buttoned, the pairing 
process ofone throuo^h with ac^ain, and 
the start made, with many a lingering 
backward olance. 

Progress is slow, at first, the ground 
is rocky, and full of holes, overgrown 
by long grasses and low bushes, forming 
pitfalls dangerous to the ankles ; but 
after this tract is passed, and the path 
reached, we make a dash down hill, 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. I9 

single file, at a terrific rate, and it is 
wonderful to see the girls run. 

Stop ! there is a fence and bars ! 
don't take them down ! let us climb to 
the top and jump down on the other 
side ! 

So ! up you go ! now, steady ! give me 
your hand and jump ! Bravo ! another, 
and another — then, on we go. What a 
delightful sense of exhilaration and 
freedom, from the rapid motion of the 
scamper down the hill. 

Now we cross a field ; — yonder is a 
flock of sheep ; how they look at us 
sideways, and eye us with curiosity, until 
suddenly, one takes alarm at some word 
or motion, and runs, — then all drive 
after, helter skelter, like a whirwind, 
and amid the thumping noise of many 
feet on the sod, they are off to the 
furthest corner of the field. 



20 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

Another fence — another opportunity 
to touch soft hands; and one with a 
laugh, and another with a scream over 
they go, and we are on the main road 
again. 

Then a girl race, for a hundred yards 
or so — how they fly — and as they pass a 
cottage, a dog leaps out barking at 
every jump, and jumping at every bark. 

He cannot understand what all this 
noise is about, why all these faces are 
bright and all these voices fresh and 
ringing; forlooking into the cottage you 
see only drawn sallow sober faces, their 
wearers appearing prematurely aged^ 
and showing in their bearing as in their 
features, how severe is their struggle 
with nature, to wrest from her a mere 
subsistence. 

It is milking time; and now we pass 
two or three docile cows, dappled buff 



MY ADIRONDACK TIPE. 21 

and white, with soft melting eyes, and 
short horns. A man is milking. ''Good 
evening to you," as we pass. 

A yoke of fine heavy oxen, of a dark 
dun color, lie lazily in our road, chew- 
ing their cud, and greet us with a 
half menacing, half fearful gaze. 

They raise their shoulders heavily, 
from the ground, as if about to rise, but 
as they see we pass without molesting 
them, they fall back into their lazy, 
restful positions, their large eyes follow- 
ing us, until we are out of sight. 

For a few rods, we now traverse the 
woods, already grown dark, and emerge 
on the lake, at the woodpile. 

Who shall go into whose boat, being 
decided, and the arrangement of wraps 
being concluded, we start to row home- 
ward. 

The younger members of the party, 



22 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

eager to be home first, or to show their 
prowess at the oar, dash off at great 
pace. 

The older ones, only too glad to 
lengthen these delicious moments, pull 
a long, slow, steady stroke, loathe to 
break the smooth surface of the water, 
which stretches from shore to shore, 
like polished steel, reflecting the western 
bank in deep black shadows. 

I'here is not a breath of wind ; the 
stars are coming out, one by one, in a 
grey blue sky, that has lost its radiance, 
but is soft and pearly. 

Round Island rises gigantic over our 
stern, as though suspended high above 
the waters of the lake. 

Slowly we approach the bridge, re- 
gretting every stroke that bring us 
nearer home. We pass familiar points 
and bays, but they look so different by 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 23 

this dim light, we hardly know them 
for the same. 

Under the bridee. There is the moon, 
a slight slim silver crescent in the west, 
hanging within easy reach of the tree 
tops; a fit ornament for Diana's chaste 
brow. 

A rowine sone floats on the still air, 

and falls in with the cadence of the 

risinor and sinking oars. Then as we 

catch sight of the lights of our house, 

the song changes to one, suggestive of 

a wanderer's return home. 

Our boat grates on the sand — and 
<_> 

tired, but with a contented and peaceful 
feeling about our hearts, we jump ashore, 
in the failing light 



Ill 



jt^OME old pipe, the clay's duties are 
^^ done, and thou and I, may now 
enjoy another of those pleasant hours 
in close communion, hand in hand and 
lip to lip. 

Thou art growing old and worn, but 
age only adds to thy beauty, in my 
eyes. Age has deepened and mellowed 
the complexion of thy face, but brought 
no furrow to thv brow. 

Not weaker, but strongrer dost thou 
grow, but thy strength is sweet to me. 
Thou art slow to make friends, but the 
fires of thy heart being once kindled, 
and thy friend tried and proved worthy, 
thou dost become his complement. 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 25 

Dear old friend ! thy exterior may 
look cold and polished, but thy heart is 
warm, and in the right place. Though 
in our hours of communion, thou pour- 
est forth column after column, and 
volume upon volume, yet art thou dis- 
creet as the moon. Ever ready to 
solace in time of trouble, weariness or 
sadness, ready to sigh at my sorrow, or 
chuckle at my jest, thou shalt be in 
future, as in the past, dear to my 
heart, and the sharer of my inmost 
thoucrhts. 

Speak now to me of the sights and 
sounds I love so well ! Speak of the 
woods and the fields, of the sky and the 
water ! 

No ? — Why does the smoke hang 
like a sheet above my head ? It neither 
rises nor falls, but floats heavily in the 
air, like a thick veil 



26 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

What makes the day so dark, is it 
mist or smoke ? 

See, the sun answers your question. 
Observe how high he is, and how red, 
as he vainly struggles to break through 
the opaque atmosphere. 

Mist would have been dispelled ere 
this, drawn up by the powerful arms of 
the rainmaker, into the semblance of 
white fluffy clouds flecking a blue sky. 

But now the sky is hidden, and the 
sun already halfway to the zenith, looks 
a small dull red ball, in the murky 
atmosphere, like the moon on a hot 
summer's night. 

Only a small portion of the lake is 
visible, and the moutains look far off 
and blue. It is certainly smoke, prob- 
ably from some distant forest fires 

How they must burn and what acres 
of trees must fall victims to the fiery 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 2 7 

tongues to produce the smoke, which 
covers us Hke a cloud, at such a distance 
from the scene of the disaster. 

There is no wind to carry off the 
smoke, but the air is cool and bracing. 
It is not a day to invite us either to the 
woods or to the lake, and many turn to 
their books, or to letter writing. But 
we have still other resources. 

" It is a gem of a day for Tennis, and 
I challenge you to a set of singles !" 

** You" is a trim figure in a pleated 
skirt of some light colored material, 
short, dark blue, tight fitting, small 
pocketed, and high collared coat, and 
a blue and white, striped, swagger cap, 
surmounting an abundance of fair hair. 

" You" has bright eyes, of the speak- 
ing kind, that possess the most delight- 
ful downward and upward motions ima- 
ginable, not to mention a bewitching 



28 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

sidelong glance, that only comes Into 
play, on special occasions, but speaks 
volumes. Their color is immaterial, 
I do not know that I could tell, whether 
they are blue or grey, but I can recall 
their speech distinctly. 

Her mouth brackets small teeth, and 
her nose, well, — even prejudiced as I am, 
I must confess, that it Is red — but only 
from exposure — only because she is not 
afraid of wind or sun, and I have no doubt 
that In a ball-room in mid-winter, it looks 
as fair as the rest of her complexion. 

**You's" name is Harriet, but every 
one calls her Harry ; not that she Is at 
all masculine, but it is a family way of 
abbreviating names, and I like it. 

My challange being accepted, I fetch 
the rackets and balls, then down the 
slope we tear, to the tennis court, near 
the lake shore. 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 29 

" I give you choice of court and ser- 



vice." 



'' No ? you will not have service ; 
then call !" Up goes the racket, twirl- 
ing in the air, and ere it falls flat, Harry 
calls " Rough." 

" Rough it is, and yours the first 



service." 



Harry takes the balls, and assumes 
her position at the outer line of the 
court, ready to serve. 

Is she not a picture as she stands 
there, bending slightly forward and 
downward, and sends the ball, with a 
horizontal stroke of the racket, swiftly 
over the net, scarcely three Inches 
above It ? 

But that is nothing ; wait till you see 
her run. 

Game follows game; sometimes Harry 
has the advantao^e, sometimes I, until 



30 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

we have both warmed up to the fun, 
and, as I win my service, ''five all" she 
cries, and adds, '* Now, if I can only- 
win this game." 

As "this game" will decide the set, 
we commence it in a very determined 
way, both eager to win. 

You can see how carefully she serves, 
for fear of making a '' double." 

Here comes the ball — and I return 
it, badly — almost to her racket, — back 
it comes to me, and this time I put it 
to the other side of the field, — now 
see her run — she is there before the 
ball, quick as a man, graceful as a 
woman, and with just the least little 
jump, she takes the ball, and returns it 
diagonally across the field, as far from 
me as possible — with a great effort 1 
reach it, raise it and drop it — just over 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 3 1 

the net — she makes a brave dash for it, 
Lut cannot reach it in time. 

That is what a woman calls a mean 
trick. 

Thus it goes on rally after rally, 
volley after volley, amid the sound of 
that lingo, that grows musical to the 
lover of the oame. 

Fifteen-love, — thirty-love,— 'Vantage 
in, — Game ! 

What matters it who wins the eame 
or who the set ? It's not that I play 
for, I know. 

But the life out doors — with the sod 
beneath, the sky above, and the woods 
around you. 

The pleasure of living, of running, 
of jumping, of leaping, of falling, if you 
will ; the pleasure of feeling the blood, 
coursing through your veins, at a rate 
that brooks no coat on your back, or 



32 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

cap on your brow, of swinging" the racket 
at arm's length, and placing the ball at 
will, 

The pleasure of sound — in the musical 
laneuaofe of the crame, the excited shout 
of a ball well returned, or an adversary 
foiled ; the merry laughter that natur- 
ally follows the incidents of the game ; 
and the enthusiastic "bravos" or "play- 
ed" of the interested on-lookers. 

The pleasure of sight — of men in 
picturesque costumes, with hat drawn 
over the eyes, or cap hastily thrown to 
the ground, the right sleeve rolled up, 
and arm bared to the elbow, their young 
and well developed figures, undisguised 
by awkward garments, in full and grace- 
ful play ; of women simply dressed,, 
strong and well, complexion clear 
but browned, eyes bright and flash- 
ing, standing firm, and straight as an 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 33 

arrow, with lips parted and nostrils di- 
lated, or running across the field, with 
the speed and grace of a fawn. 

The pleasure of the contest — the 
eager struggle, as the tables are turned 
ao^ain and as^ain. The trainincj of all 
the senses to the command of the will, 
when, for the nonce, all depends upon 
oneself and upon one play. 

The excitement and suspense of 
dence — 'vantacre in — dence — 'vantap^e 
out — and back ao^ain. 

All these I say, are pleasures, which 
far outweigh the mere sense of victory ; 
they are far greater and more perma- 
nent ; they create brain and sinew — 
and make Tennis a royal gam.e. 



IV 



M HAVE just disposed my rod and 
\J gun, old friends too, upon the walls 
of my room, where they will hang pro- 
bably, for another year ; that long year 
which must elapse, ere I can again use 
them. 

No more groceries and blankets to 
put up, no boats to be loaded ; no row- 
ing down the lake before others are 
astir ; no more crossing of carries with 
the dog straining at his chain, a gun on 
y^our shoulder, and a pack on your back, 
underfoot sometimes muddy and slip- 
pery, but the woods overhead always 
beautiful ; no more camp life, no sleep- 
ing in the open air on balsam boughs, 
no more hasty toilet making in the 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 35 

morning, while ones hands are almost 
freezing ; no flap jacks and maple syrup 
for breakfast ; no putting out of dogs, 
while the mist still hangs low over the 
lakes ; no returning to camp in the dusk, 
with the spoils of the day ; no more 
fishing at sunset ; no more camp fires 
and ten o'clock toddy in the evening nor 
snoring at night ! 

No — not for another year. 

But there's my pipe ! Behold I had 
almost forgotten thee, old friend ! 

Come to my aid ! Dispel my vain re- 
grets ! Pour forth thy fragrance, and 
wreathe thy charmed circles, and who 
shall say, that these things are not as 
sweet in the remembering, as in the 
doing. 

Blessed be memory, and blessed be 
tobacco ! Memory that registers, and 
tobacco that revivifies these scenes. 



36 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

For as the power of heat brings forth 
the words that have been written with 
vanishing ink, so the aroma of tobacco, 
renews the pictures, once traced upon 
the tablet of memory, — and as I inhale 
its fragrance, and lean back in my chair, 
I am once more seated in the stern of 
my boat, w^ith gun across my knees, 
and the guide is pulling our craft, 
heavily laden with camp kit and sup- 
plies, out of the slang, choked with 
lily pads, into the bright rippling waters 
of Round Pond. 

It is the glorious afternoon of a day 
tHat promised but poorly. We have 
rowed eight miles down Long Lake, 
and crossed the carry with our boats 
and loads, since we started, in the early, 
cold, raw and misty morning. Now, 
the sun is shining brightly enough, the 
deep blue sky, and a few white wind 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 2>1 

clouds, are reflected in the water, save 
near the shore, where the mountains 
change the hue, and trace their image 
on the lake's surface. 

To our right as we enter the pond, 
is mighty Everett, looking far more 
impressive than from Long Lake, 
with its triple crown, and great spurs, 
divercrinor to Belden Pond and Catlin 

o o 

Lake. 

Before us, is Santanoni, a worthy 
rival, towering apparently quite as high, 
and with a long waving sky line. 

Both mountains are well covered with 
hard wood timber, which is beginning 
to change under, the influence of the 
crisp frosty nights ; only here and there 
a tonorue of dark crreen, shoots alonor the 
top of a ridge, or boldly into a mass of 
wonderousbric^ht colors, showinor where 
some accident of soil, or destruction of 



38 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

first growth has given the resinous 
woods, a foothold. 

To our left, on the contrary, the low 
hills are covered by soft wood trees, 
and cedar, pine, and spruce, balsam,, 
hemlock and tamarack, mingle their 
various and varied shades of green. 

Happily the lumberman, and the fire 
have spared this pretty pond as yet, 
and its shores are wooded to the water's 
edge. It could not have looked more 
beautiful, or more peaceful, when the 
eyes of the white man first saw it, than 
it does this day, as our two boats float 
side by side, skirting its shores, in search 
of a suitable place to build our camp. 

We finally turn into North Bay, and 
land on a sandy beach near the mouth of 
a brook. Mindful of the wild character 
of the lake and not wishing to detract 
from the unbroken appearance of its 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 39 

shores, we pitch our camp, a little way 
back in the woods, where no passing 
eye could possibly detect it. 

Then follow the pleasures of pitching 
camp. — Selecting a good place for the 
dogs, and a level spot for the tent, 
cutting and setting the poles, driving 
the pins, and adjusting the canvass. — 

Then a good back-log must be found, 
and in building a new altar, a living 
tree is generally sacrificed. In an in- 
credibly short time the fire is made and 
lighted, and one of the guides goes in 
search of tender balsam boughs for 
bedding, while the other unpacks the 
baskets, and, after clearing a path to 
the brook, prepares supper. 

Soon the first returns, bending under 
his green fragrant load, skilfully adjust- 
ed on a withe. The bed is made, the 
blankets unstrapped and spread, and 



40 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

by that time, the sun having" set, and 
darkness fallen, while we were engrossed 
about our work, supper is declared 
ready. 

After supper, pipes, — every body 
smokes, — and then huge four-foot logs 
are piled upon the fire, and the flames 
swirl up in great sheets, higher than 
our tent, amid the snapping and crack- 
ling of the burning bark, and the his- 
sing of the fresh sap, oozing from 
the ends. 

Great showers of sparks pursue each 
other in endless numbers, whirling and 
circling with the smoke, darting swiftly 
upward, impelled by the great heat, 
and disappear high overhead, amid the 
leaves of the surrounding trees. 

Stand with me, your back to the 
fire, and look out into the dark woods 
that surround us. Notice how peculiar 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 4I 

the colors of the leaves feel : you do not 
recognize the greens and yellows of 
daylight. How strong and sharp the 
shadows, and how they change and 
move, as the flames flare and veer with 
every current of air. 

Look up, and see the white smooth 
bark of the birch, the glossy shining 
trunk of the beech, and the knarled sur- 
face of the maple tree, as they tower 
overhead like huge spectres ; see their 
leaves, how they tremble, and twist,. 
and twirl, stirred by the powerful 
upward current from our camp fire. 
And above and beyond all, the black 
dome of the nio^ht, studded with bright 
stars, twinkling merrily, in this cold air. 

Think you, having seen all this, you 
can ever foro^et it ? 

Fill your eyes and ears with the 
sights and sounds of the camp at night, 



42 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

and then roll your blanket about you, 
and turn In. 

Next morning we rise at daybreak. 
The fire is lighted and breakfast pre- 
pared, while we are making our morn- 
ing: ablutions. 

After breakfast, the morning being 
fine, we start on our hunt. 

My brother and his guide go to Cat- 
lin Lake, a one mile portage, and they 
have to carry their boat and rifie. 

I land my guide with two dogs, in East 
Bay, and return to my watch ground. — 

Here am I all alone, on a point 
terminating North Bay, with boat 
drawn up, and rifie at my side. I ex- 
pect it will be an all day affair, so make 
myself comfortable— find a good seat, 
shaded from the sun, commanding the 
lake, then light my pipe, and gaz 
contentedly over the waters. 






MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 43 

These watches are Ions: and some- 
times tedious, but any one fond of 
outdoor Hfe, can find enough to amuse 
and interest him. 

The first Impression Is one of silence 
and repose, the day Is fine and warm, 
rich in yellow sunshine, and mellow 
breezes, that but slightly stir the lake's 
surface, and faintly rustle In the tree 
tops. 

There are no song birds left ; only 
two or three little yellow birds, no 
larger than a sparrow, sometimes hover 
about, with a chirp not unlike that of 
their city confreres; or the startling 
hammer -hammer of the woodpecker 
suddenly breaks upon the stillness. 

Or you are roused from a revery, by 
the shrill cry and rushing wings of a 
brace of ducks as they pass by with a 
swoop. 



44 ^lY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

Or, more rarely still, the ear Is pierced 
by the sound of a trumpet note high 
overhead, which attracts the eye to a 
line of black dots, faintly visible, against 
the blue vaulted sky ; straight and true 
as a line of soldiers, and like them, 
marshaled by a single leader — a flock 
of wild geese, on their rapid journey 
southward. 

Or an eagle suddenly appears, circl- 
ing high above some conlcally peaked 
ridge. You never notice him approach- 
ing, but are first aware of his presence, 
w^hen you see him, as now, majestically 
floatino- In those macrnlficent curves that 
he sustains to a circle, by one or two 
strokes of his mighty wings. Round 
and round he goes, tireless ; then back 
again, until the vision swims, — finally, 
without an effort, without any apparent 
volition, the curve of his flight changes. 



MV ADIRONDACK PIPE. 45 

with a graceful S like sweep, and he dis- 
appears over a ridge. 

Or you leap from your seat, at the 
sound of splashing water, only to see 
where a kinehsher emerges wet and 
dripping, bearing his glittering burden, 
swiftly and silently along the surface 
of the lake. 

Or a hawk crosses the azure arena, 
chased by a screaming mob of rowdy 
crows and pert yellow birds, crying 
thief, and actively harassing their victim 
from all sides, as he quickly v/Ings out 
of slo^ht. 

The water adds its quota of stirring 
life In jumping fish that flash for a 
second in the air, looklnor several times 
larger than they really, are, then fall 
back into the lake, making wide circles 
that ripple up to the shore. 

On land there is but little life, and I 



46 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

can remember but one Instance, when 
on my watch ground, I have seen a fox, 
and at another time a hare. 

The sun has not been standing 
still, but has freed Itself from the In- 
tervening pines, and Is pouring down 
upon my head, scorching face and 
hands. The glare of the sunlight on 
the water. Is very trying to the eyes, 
and after a prolonged and searching 
gaze over the lake, the sight of the 
green woods affords rest and relief. 

Little puffs of wind emerge from 
every western Indentation of the shore, 
and streak the lake like ribbons flutter- 
ing towards you, breaking the rays of 
the sun, and making to westward, a 
white dazzling sheet ; to the east the 
waters He cool, unruffled, deeper In 
hue, and rich with shadows. 

How many times a day does the body 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 47 

thrill, at sight of a rock or stump^ 
momentarily transformed by some trick 
of light or shade, into semblance of a 
swimming deer ; how many times does 
the heart beat fast, at the sound of a 
dog's melodious voice, bursting from 
the opposite ridge ! 

But to-day, the first rifle that cracks 
in hearing, is on the farthest shores 
of the pond. It is four o'clock, and I 
know it must be the call of my return- 
ing guide. He has made a half circuit 
of the lake, following the comb of the 
ridge, and after travelling many miles, 
has emerged at the outlet. 

I row to fetch him — the dogs are with 
him, and he has shot two partridges in 
the woods. 

We slowly row home, stopping fre- 
quently, the guide resting on his oars, 
and expatiating on the distance he has 



48 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

travelled, the tracks he has seen, the 
trouble this or that dog gave him, and 
his judgment, as to where the deer he 
started, have run to ; all, interpolated, 
frequently, by commands to one of the 
dogs to lie down. Major is dead tired 
from the run, and asleep with his nose 
between his paws ; but Sport, restless 
and disobedient, insists on sitting up 
and sniffing the air. 

Soon after our return to camp, my 
brother and his guide come in, also 
without any venison. They report, they 
have seen and heard nothing of the 
game all day. 

Not much game certainly, but the 
day has been fruitful of memories. 

'' I am tired of crossincr these locrs on 
the way up to camp ; let us take the 
axes, and clear the path of these fallen 
trees, while the boys are getting sup- 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 49 

per." '* At It then, one at each end !" 
*' Swing the axe, and bury Its head ! " 
Haak — hak — haak, hak — for an hour — 
through the dusk, and into the dark- 
ness. 

And oh how soft and grateful, feel 
the balsam boughs, as after our labor, 
we stretch at full length upon the 
ground, watching with glistening eyes, 
the partridges broiling before the fire, 
in company with juicy slices of English 
bacon. 

Next day, we wake to find it raining, 
slowly and steadily, with heavy mists on 
mountains and lake, — an all day rain. 

We spend our time putting camp to 
rights ; driving In a nail here, or chop- 
ping away a limb there, arranging our 
cooking stores, and making things gen- 
erally, as comfortable as possible. 

Then, after the guides have built a 



50 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

roaring fire, that will last several hours^ 
we read aloud from books and maofa- 
zines, that we have brought with us,. 
The boys take most delight in stories 
that deal of hunting antelope and buf- 
falo and grizzly in the far West ; but 
frequently interrupt the reading, by 
their quaint remarks and commentaries,, 
and by their desire to see the pictures. 

In the afternoon, more reading, then 
cleaning of guns, putting together of 
fishing rods, and adjusting of reel and 
line. 

By five o'clock, as we had anticipated^ 
the rain stops, though there are still no 
slo^ns of clearlncr. So encased in rub- 
ber coats, my guide and I, resolve to 
try our luck fishing. 

I use a light fly rod ; but I know 
there are no trout In the pond, and 
can only look for perch, or bass, and 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 5 1 

intend to fish with worm bait. For 
this purpose, we had brought along a 
supply of worms, in a pepper box, and 
to keep them fresh, we had placed It 
at the root of a ttee, and covered It 
with a handful of soil. Now — when I 
open the box, I find to my aston- 
ishment, that there are only two or 
three worms left In the soil which filled 
the box. The rest have evidently made 
their escape, through the minute holes 
in the lid 

However, those that are left suffice 
to catch some small fish, that In turn 
serve for bait. 

The air Is cold and raw, the clouds 
grey and leaden, and low, and It Is grad- 
ually growing dark. We are rapidly 
getting chilled, and catching nothing 
but small fish — perch, bass and bull- 
heads. 



52 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

But we stick to it, and finally find a 
hole, where I strike a good sized fish. 
My rod bends double, and for a few 
minutes the fish makes things lively, as 
he dashes this way and that ; sometimes 
splurging at the water's surface, some- 
times sulking, and sinking down as far 
as the line will let him. 

Finally tired out, I land him, a good 
pound and a half perch. Quite as 
beautiful as a trout, I think, as I look 
at his bright red fins, laid flat upon the 
shining scales of silver and gold. 

In a few minutes I strike and land 
another, almost as large. 

With this we are satisfied, and row 
home in the dark, ouessino- at the een- 
eral direction, until we are close enough 
to see the camp fire through the trees. 

We land, so thoroughly chilled that 
our teeth chatter — but are welcomed 



MV ADIRONDACK PIPE. 53, 



home to a ble roarinor fire for the outer 
man, and a searching drink of whiskey, 
for the inner. 

After that — a fish supper — no lemons, 
and no fish knives. 

The following day we hunt on the 
Mt. Everett side of the pond. My 
brother again kindly takes Catlin Lake, 
as he has his guide to carry the boat. 
My man takes the dogs up one of the 
spurs of Mt. Everett, and leaves me as 
before on Round Pond. This time, 
however, I watch on a small island, 
near the outlet, about a hundred yards 
from shore. 

The day has opened dark and dreary, 
with flying clouds and now then a slight 
sprinkling of rain, so that a rubber coat 
is very comfortable 

As the sun mounts higher, the low 
clouds disappear, but the wind still 



54 ^lY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

holding in the south, other clouds, 
large and white and massive-looking, 
mount from the horizon, and swiftly 
scudding across the sky, are frequently 
precipitated to the earth, while the 
laughing sun looks on. 

I do not dare to build a fire, for the 
wind is blowing right from me, in the 
direction of the runway, and for the 
same reason, I do not smoke. So I am 
fairly miserable. 

But the dogs are running in hearing 
all day, and many a time, as the voice 
of one or the other rings out, growing 
louder and louder every instant, ap- 
proaching nearer and nearer at every 
bound, do 1 expect momentarily to see 
a deer leap in. 

Off goes my rubber coat ; a hasty 
examination of the gun, and then how 
I scan every nook of the shore, and 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 55 

every foot of the water between me 
and it. 

And many plans to cut off the 
deer In this or that contingency flash 
through my brain. 

What if a deer came and skulked ; or 
if he swam, and cutting off that little 
bay, gained the opposite shore, before 
I could reach him, or get into range. 

Of course, in such a case, the imagin- 
ary deer, was always a buck, and carried 
a magnificent pair of horns ; and of 
course, the guides would quietly listen 
to my story, but would never believe, 
but what if they had been there, they 
could have gotten the deer. 

But no ! the dog has taken a turn 

and is makincr a lonor swinor back around 
000 

a ridge , now his voice grows rapidly 
fainter, until I can no longer be certain, 
amid the blowing of the wind, whether 



56 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

I Still hear the dog's voice, or the echo 
of my imagination. 

Slowly and reluctantly, I lay down 
my gun, and again don my rubber coat. 

Not once, but three or four times 
during the day is this enacted, and in 
these moments of expectation and ex- 
citement, when the eyes are bent to 
catch a sight of the game, and the ears 
are strained, not to lose a warning note 
of the chase, lies the chief charm of deer 
hunting. About three o'clock, when 
I have almost given up the hunt, and 
with a dog audible in the distance, I 
hear the splash which means, a deer in 
the lake. 

There he is — above the outlet — a 
buck — and swimming towards me, but 
fortunately heading into the wind, so 
that he will probably not scent me. If 
he keeps on his course, as he is, he will 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 57 

pass the island, about midway between 
it, and shore. 

Impatiently I wait, keeping out of 
sight, until he arrives at that position, 
then, — my coat is off in a trice, and I 
creep down the back of the island, gun 
in hand, to my boat., 

Noiselessly the gun must be laid on 
the seat, noiselessly I must shove off 
and — embark, no easy task, when the 
oars are amidship, with no place to rest 
them. 

This successfully accomplished, I pad- 
dle around the end of the island, that 
brings me behind the deer. Now he is 
in sight, and I bend to the oars, throwing 
all the strength and power I possess 
into every stroke, taking great care, not 
to splash the water, in placing the oars, 
and in taking them out. 

I know the general direction, and never 



58 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

look around, but pull, pull, pull — with all 
my might. The boat bounds forward 
at a great rate, and the noise of the 
water foaming and dividing at the bow, 
and swirling- at her sides, from the vio- 
lent action of the oars, is soon caught 
by the sharp ears of the swimming buck, 
and I get notice of the fact, by hearing 
him plunge, as he accelerates his pace 

As I look around, I cannot help re- 
marking his speed, which is simply 
marvellous, when the slight legs that he 
uses are considered, and speaks for the 
tremendous power of his muscles. An- 
other thing I learn by looking around 
is, that as the deer has somewhat 
changed his course, I have rowed con- 
siderably out of my way. 

Correcting my course, I now gain on 
him, as with all his strength, he is no 
match for the boat, and I soon have 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 59 

him cut off, committing-, however, the 
common error, of overreaching my 
mark, and slipping by the deer. 

I drop my oars and pick up my Win- 
chester. 

How my hands tremble, and my 
whole body quivers from the exertion 
of rowing. 

My lungs go like a pair of bellows, 
and the air escapes from them, in sobs ; 
my gun seems a terrible weight, and 
the barrel, dreadfully top-heavy. 

With one glance at the nearing boat, 
the buck, turning off sharply at right 
angles, in his course, lifts himself 
bodily out of the water, in his mighty 
plunges forward. The water flies in 
all directions, and the white foam boils 
around him ; then he settles down to 
his work again, and only his head and 
neck are visible. 



6o MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

Bang ! goes my gun. 

Again the buck fairly bounds for- 
ward, as though his feet touched bot- 
tom, but he keeps on, — his head 
erect, — and rapidly increases the space 
between us. 

I have now the choice of takinor to 
my oars again, to cut him off from the 
other shore which he is rapidly ap- 
proaching, or of trusting to my Win- 
chester before he lands. 

I prefer the latter course, and with 
my wind somewhat recovered, and my 
breathing and pulse a little more regu- 
lar — fire acrain. 

A leap — a splash — and the head and 
antlers disappear. 

Down goes the gun, and out go the 
oars. Another effort is necessary, for 
if the deer has not reached his blue 
coat, he may sink — but no — there he 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 6l 

is — afloat, and now I can take it 
easy. 

Hand over hand, still gasping for 
breath, I come up to the deer, floating 
on his side, his head and shoulders 
partly submerged by the weight of his 
horns. 

A fine pair of antlers, just out of the 
velvet, as white as snow, with four 
prongs on each horn, graceful and regu- 
lar. His skin is beautifully blue and 
sleek and smooth as a new orown. 

Upon examination I find, that both 
shots have hit him. The first on ac- 
count of my unsteadiness, or the motion 
of the boat, pulled to one side, and was 
buried in his shoulder and must have 
maimed one le^r. The second shot, 
struck him squarely in the back of the 
neck, at the base of the head, where I 
had aimed. 



62 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

Hark ! The clog Is nearing shore, 
and will soon be there, and I must pick 
him up. 

Before leaving the deer, I bury the 
blade of my hunting knife, at the junc- 
ture of the neck and body, to give the 
blood an outlet, then pull back to the 
point, where the buck jumped in. 

A few moments and Major plunges 
through the brush, singing at the top of 
his voice. 

I watch him for a few minutes, as 
arrived at the lake, he dashes madly 
along the bank, a hundred yards, in one 
direction, then back again to the lost 
scent, and off as far in the opposite 
direction and back, still finding no trace 
of further tracks. 

Then suddenly realizing that the deer 
has taken to the water, and perhaps 
escaped him, he rushes to the water's 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 63 

edge, and raising his head, gives a pro- 
lonofed howl. 

Now he sees me, and at my whoop 
and call, plunges Into the lake. I pick 
him up, dripping. I pat him and speak 
words of praise and acknowledgement 
to him, and even allow him to shake 
himself, and scatter water all over me 
at pleasure. 

He knows perfectly well, now, what 
has happened, but Is anxious to have 
his doubts set at rest as to the fate of 
the deer, and no amount of coaxlncr or 
wheedling, of kicking or of pounding, 
will Induce him to He down. 

There he stands erect, with his fore- 
paws, on the edge of the boat, his head 
pointed as high as he can get It, with 
outstretched reck, and elongated nose, 
turning In every direction, sniffing the 
air, for a trace of the hunt. 



64 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

Soon we are back at the deer's side 
and now the trouble is to prevent the 
dog from jumping into the water, and 
to keep him away froni the buck long 
•enough, to permit me, to slip a rope 
around the antlers, which I carry over 
the stern, and make fast. 

Then we start for the Island. Any 
one who has never tried it can form no 
idea of the tecliousness, and labor in- 
volved, in towing a heavy body like a 
deer, partially submerged, behind a row 
boat. The greatest effort at the oars, 
only forces the boat forward, until the 
rope is taut, then the resisting body, 
seems to pull it back again all the 
way. 

Progress, then is very slow, but the 
spoils being safe, time Is no object. 
Arrived at the island and selecting a 
shelving spot, I land with Major, and 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 65 

drag up the deer as best I can, carefully 
guarding the antlers. 

Major is almost beside himself, with 
joy, and alternately licks the deer's 
smooth side or laps the blood. 

Soon the welcome crack of a gun is 
heard on the main shore, and I row 
over to fetch my guide. We return, 
dress the deer, get him, into the boat, 
and merrily return to camp. 

Sport has not comeback to his starter, 
so we hope, that our party at Catlin 
Lake, may have him, and his deer. The 
frequent shooting in that direction dur- 
ing the day, and their lateness in return- 
ing, all point that way. 

And so it proves — they return to 
camp with a fine doe — tired out but 
happy. 

A good day's hunt surely, and its 
details are recounted by each one of us 



66 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

over and over again, by the light of the 
camp fire. 

Vension steak for supper — it is still 
fresh — but nothing else will satisfy us 
to-night. 

'' Cut out the tenderloin for us — 
broil it with bacon, and have it brown 
and juicy ; open the can of currant- 
jelly — and by the way, boys, we must 
drink to our buck." Glasses are filled, 
and my guide toasts, '' Here's to you, 
and wishing you ten years of life for 
every prong on his horns." — 

The followinor morning we hold a 
council of war. It is still cloudy, and 
we have had enough hunting. It will 
take almost a whole day to tote the 
venison across the carries, so the boys 
propose that they commence carrying it 
out to-day, as we have signified our in- 
tention of returning home next day. 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 



67 



We are agreed ; so they start off 
with the boat loaded with venison, and 
leave us to our own resources. We 
smoke a pipe, and prepare our rods, 
and by eleven o'clock, the wind having 
freshened, the clouds have all cleared, 
and it is a bright sunshiny day. 

Having determined to try the pond 
with our rods, we row out of our shelt- 
ered bay. The wind is blowing hard 
across the lake, making a big swell, and 
many of the places I tried on the previ- 
ous occasion, are too rough for fishing, 
So we row up between the islands, and 
selecting an old trunk that has fallen far 
out into the lake, we hold fast, and cast 
our lines. 

In a few hours, we have half a dozen 
fine perch, weighing from one pound 
to a pound and a quarter, beside many 
smaller fish. They are all gamey and 



68 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

give US lots of sport, and we both en- 
joy these four hours as much as any 
during the trip. It is hard for us to 

make up our minds to stop, but being 
now three o'clock, and long past lunch 
hour, we turn camp ward. 

In the woods, one cannot always be 
particular, either about the lunch hour^ 
or the lunch itself, and we often go with 
only a piece of bread and cold meat or 
a lump of maple sugar. 

Arrived at camp, we string the fish^ 
and they are a pretty sight ; then we 
fall to getting our meal. 

Being an old woodsman, I take as 
much pleasure in cooking, as in eating^ 
a meal. 

We build our fire, cut a steak out of 
the quarter, the guides left in camp, 
cut it up, dress it, and with two or three 
clean slices of bacon, set It broiling. 



ivIY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 69 

The water is put on for coffee, potatoes 
cleaned and put to boil, and with bread 
and butter, currant jelly, some canned 
vegetables — and later, preserves — not 
forgetting the attendant hearty appe- 
tites, we have a capital meal. 

The boys get back, late in the after- 
noon, tired out, their clothes drenched 
from walking through the wet woods. 

It always seems to me, that one gets 
a worse soaking in the woods after a 
heavy rain is over, than in the midst of 
the severest down-pour. 

It is only after a storm is over 
that every tree and bush, every shrub 
and blade of grass seems to be water 
logged, and to deposit all its accumu- 
lated moisture on your garments as 
though nature provided you for that 
purpose. 

Partly in the hope of adding to our 



70 MY ADIRONDACK TIPE. 

String of fish, and partly to be on the 
lake at sundown, I slip my rod into the 
boat, and pull across the lake again 
toward the islands. 

Whether it is that I have not hit upon 
good places, or whether my heart is not 
in the work, I know not, but try as I 
will, I cannot get a bite. For half an 
hour or more, I pull from place to place, 
whipping the lake's surface, but with 
no success. 

Finally disgusted, and seeing the sun 
is setting, I reel in my line, and deposit- 
ing my rod carefully on the thwarts, 
throw myself into the bottom of the 
boat— face upwards— to watch the lovely 
changes going on about me. 

The silence and the solitude are deli- 
cious. The wind, so unruly all day, has 
died down to a zephyr, which daintily 
ripples the lake, and makes miniature 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 



waves, that murmur against the boat's 
side. There is only a wafer-like plank 
between my ear and the water, other- 
wise even its faint language, as it frets 
under the boat's keel and swelling sides, 
would be inaudible. 

In the west, where fortunately for me, 
there is a wide gap in the wall-like 
mountains, through which the outlet 
winds alonor Mt. Everet's base — a broad 
belt of deep and deepening orange is 
visible, encircling the earth. Above it 
hanofs a lono^ narrow bank of dark steel 
clouds, contrasting sharply again, with 
the zone of bricrht white licrht that sur- 

o o 

mounts it. Higher up this merges 
into the soft blue of the sky, which 
in turn overhead, and on to the east, 
blends through tender tints of rose 
leaf and pink, into the poppy hue of 



72 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

those fiery cloud banks, riding In the 
distance over Santanoni 

Right above my upturned face, In a 
blue field, like the mighty aureole of 
some god or goddess, radiating bars of 
red light hang quivering and pulsating 
in the air. They seem to have solid 
shape, and yet the eye feels, rather 
than sees, a wave like motion, swaying 
and running through them. 

Bright and lurid they flare — then, 
while I gaze — they grow fainter and 
fainter — until they are gone, and the 
sky is as blue, where they late appeared, 
as all about. 

The rosy hues are all growing dim- 
mer; the white zone is fading Into the 
blue ; the dark steel clouds, have risen 
higher above the horizon, and in the 
higher light are white as a snowdrift ; 
the orange belt is growing paler — 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 7 



'> 



but oh, how brilliant and radiant and 
lovely! 

'Tis chancrinor still. The last traces 

o o 

of the wind have disappeared, and the 
glassy surface of the lake reflects only 
a soft, grey, colorless sky, with a bril- 
liant white light in the western gap, as 
though at the closing of the gates of 
Paradise, one had been forgotten. 

In the east the huge grim shadow of 
Santanoni,is gradually creeping over the 
waters, and night in her loveliest form 
and in her softest mood, wearing her 
jewelled crown, wings high over his crest. 

But a minute ago and I could have 
counted the stars, now they are number- 
less — our earth is a mystery, full of 
mysteries; here are a million such. 

It is a time and place to recall the 
most cherished memories, and inspire 
the highest thoughts, thrill the soul, 



74 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

like the harmonious strings of a harp, 
and attune it to worship ! 

A faint ''Hilloa"! I raise myself, 
leaning upon my elbow, and looking 
out over the dark waters of the lake, 
see the bright flame and ascending 
column of smoke from our camp fire 
in the distance. It looks to be in the 
heart of the forest, and nowhere else 
do the trees seem so tall, so gaunt and 
weird. 

Another '' Hilloa" — and it only needs 
the sound of my answering whoop, to 
break the spell that has bound me. 

^^ *1« «*^ «J^ «£# 

4k 'T* ^ ^ *l* 

It has been our habit to leave the flaps 
of the tent open at night, to admit the 
radiating heat, of the great fire, that we 
build every evening. 

In the middle of the night, I sud- 
denly awake, cold and shivering. The 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 



75 



fire Is almost out, there are only a few 
crlowinof embers, and the nio^ht has 
grown very cold. I prop myself on 
one hand, and gaze at my companions, 
slumbering peacefully, only their hats 
visible above the edo^e of the blankets. 
I cannot make up my mind to wake 
any of them, to renew the fire, so I slip 
noiselessly out of my blanket bag, and 
step without the tent. 

It is a beautiful clear night, the myriad 
stars are sparkling with peculiar fire in 
the frosty air, the peaceful moon pours 
down her loving light, a message of rest 
and contentment, piercing through the 
envious foliage above, and tracing upon 
the ground, wavering patterns of ex- 
quisite beauty and delicacy. 

But the cold recalls me. 1 stir the 
few remaining embers, and shaking 
them together, cover them with bark 



76 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

and small pine wood, over these throw 
a log or two, and soon the fire is snap- 
ping and blazing again. 

Being wide awake, with little inclina- 
tion to sleep, I light my pipe and sit 
down by the fire. 

Major lies extended, where he can 
catch the most heat, his hind legs 
curled under him, his fore feet stretched 
out, and his nose resting on his paws.. 
He is evidently agitated about some- 
thing, and makes a sound like a sup- 
pressed bark, while his whole Dody 
quivers and trembles. He is dreaming. 

He is after a bii^ buck. Now his 
bark comes quick and short, as the 
scent is good, and the pace fast . sud- 
denly he stops altogether — he has struck 
water, a brook or creek, and is hunting 
up and down for the scent — there, he 
has found it, and is off again, faster and 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 



11 



faster ; until he quickly leaps upon his 
prey, and the hunt is over. That is 
dog's Paradise. 

Hoo-hoo — hoo-ooh ! Hoo-hoo — hoo- 
ooh ! there's an owl ! listen a minute 
and the hoot will be repeated, or per- 
haps answered in the distance. I won- 
der, what this particular fellow, is so 
noisy about. Whether he is calling his 
mate ? or whether he has just succeeded 
in securing a succulent rat supper, or 
is he playing at hide-and-seek with 
some of his jolly mates ? 

There's a loon's cry ! Any one un- 
familiar with it, hearing it at night, 
would think, the devil himself were let 
loose ; or at least that a maniac were 
wandering around the lake shore. 

I remember once, after breaking camp 
on Little Tupper Lake, my guide and 
I were rowing down the lake, through 



78 MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

a heavy morning mist, which hung low 
upon the water's surface, completely 
hiding even the nearest objects from 
view. We had laid our course by the 
compass, and were rowing along, feel- 
ing our way carefully, when suddenly 
we were startled, by a most terrific and 
blood curdling shriek, right under our 
bow — a splash, and then all was still. 

I stared at my guide in speechless 
horror, but he burst out laughing, 
and explained, that a loon must have 
risen to the surface close to the boat 
as we were approaching, and In the 
heavy mist was probably, almost run 
down, before he became aware of 
us. 

A drowninor human belnor could not 
have screamed in more aofonizinof tones. 

There's the sharp barking of a fox ! 
How I wish one would visit us, at 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 79 

camp. I should like a good fox rug — 
though I suppose, their fur would not 
be very thick or good now* 

How harmless all these noises of the 
night appear, robbed of their terror by 
familiarity — they are even companion- 
able. 

But my pipe has gone out — I replace 
it in its case with a snap — take a drink 
of cold spring water, and with another 
look at the jewel-vaulted canopy over- 
head — slip back to my corner in the 
tent, having first carefully tied down 
the tent flaps. 

^{* "{^ ^C ^c ^^ 

We rise at daybreak and make an 
early breakfast. While the boys are 
cleaning and stowing the dishes and 
camp kit in the baskets, we pack our 
small valise, and strap our shawls and 
blankets. The fish are carefully packed, 



8o MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 

in layers of fresh green moss, at the 
top of one of the packs. 

Then sorrowfully we pull down and 
roll up our little tent, disclosing the 
square patch, well covered with balsam 
boughs, where for a week, our party of 
four have lain side by side. 

On one of the prominent trees near 
camp, we had fastened a single buck- 
horn, found near the spring by one of 
the guides ; and after it, we had named 
our camp. Under this emblem, we now 
make a broad blaze, and on it inscribe 
the names of our party, the dates of 
our arrival and departure, and the de- 
details of our success with rod and 
gun. 

Tent, packs, bags and bundles — rifles 
and rods are now stored in our boats, 
and with the greatest regret we say 
farewell to Camp Buckhorn, where we 



MY ADIRONDACK PIPE. 8l 

had passed such a pleasant and success- 
ful week. 

Through the lake with many back- 
ward glances at our beloved mountains* 
through the slang and over the carry, 
now thickly strewn, with a carpet of 
many hued leaves. 

Arrived at the end of the carry we 
take up our venison, sent out the day 
before, then, pulling slowly up the lake 
against the usual headwind, we are 
home before evening, where many 
friends await us, to admire our trophies, 
prominently displayed on our boatload, 
to congratulate us on our success, and 
to assure us that they will gladly share 
In our fish and venison. 

May we all meet again, in the Adiron- 
dack woods next year — I shall be there 
for one. 

October, 1887. 



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